Although we “were straying like sheep,” the Lord Jesus Christ has willingly suffered and died for su, bearing our sins “in His body on the tree” (I Peter 2:24-25). We are healed by Hi8s wounds (I Peter 2:24), and in His Resurrection He gathers us to Himself as our Good Shepherd, by whose righteousness we “have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). Now, through other shepherds whom He calls and sends in His Name, He guards and keeps us in the green pastures of His Church, leading us beside the quiet waters of our Baptism and spreading the Feast of His Table before us. Since He has called us by the Gospel to be His own dear sheep, we also “hear His voice” and “know His voice” (John 10:3, 4) in the faithful preaching of His Gospel, and we follow Him by faith. When we receive His Gospel, we have the abundant life and common unity of the entire flock under one Good Shepherd, in “the apostles teaching and fellowship” and in “the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42).
Acts 2:42-47; I Peter 2:19-25: John 10:1-10
English Standard Version (ESV)
